More Igor Araujo

Biographie

TRAINING: 9:00 am is the first training session, right now I am going to my Tuesday sparring session, right after 12:00 I have Jiu-jitsu, then I go home to rest until 6pm because I have to hit mitts. Tuesdays and Thursdays are like that. The other days I add conditioning instead of sparring.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I played soccer until I was 19 years old, Then I watched Royce Gracie fighting in the UFC and fell in love with this sport. I began fighting in 2004 and I never stopped.

What ranks and titles have you held? I am a pro fighter since 2004, with many BJJ titles, including the European championship, Brazilian championship, and many others. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

Do you have any heroes? God, Jesus, my wife and my three sons.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is big for me, and I got here by working hard. Since 2000 when I first started BJJ, this was my target, and this is huge for me. I will work hard to fight great and stay in the UFC. I want to finish my career as a fighter here.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I started in the university two times - once I spent almost five months studying journalism, and the other time was publicity, but both times I had to choose training or studying; then I quit the university.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked in a bank for two years because I was living alone in Belo Horizonte, and I had to work to keep my training going. But in my head I never had the will to work in something else; fighting was always my main goal.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I fought in more than 20 different countries, and today I have a lot of life experience because I am a fighter. This is the most important accomplishment that I could have.

Favorite grappling technique: Triangle choke

Favorite striking technique: Kicks

• Pro since 2004

• Has won 14 of his last 17

• 17 wins by submission, one by KO

• Won rematch with TUF 16 opponent Herron-Webb via five round decision in most recent fight in May of 2013